Pre Flop Raise Sizing

Pre Flop Raise Sizing is something not many players can relate with and effectively do. For example, in a game like $1/$2 no limit holdem where a buy-in will be $200, raise sizes will differ from player to player because this is one of the more aggressive limits. Online or live the raises should be similar regardless of the cards that you are holding to open the pot before the flop. A standard among online players is to open the pot for four big blinds which is $8 if no one limped in to the pot or if you are the first to act in the hand. If one player limps in to the pot the raise before the flop now jumps to $10. If two players limp in front of you the raise now jumps to $12. If three players limp in front of you the raise is now to $14. Do you see the pattern? Because you should.

Making effective raises before the flop can lead you to greater success at the tables and most importantly having fold equity when you make raises before the flop. When you are making raises that aren’t sufficient like given the last example of three limpers, if you make a raise to $8 before the flop after three limpers you are putting yourself at risk to lose the hand rather than win it. Also, you have almost no fold equity to gain because if one player calls, then the next will call, and the last player now has a great price to make their hand and will also call. If you make raises that are too small or too big you can change the way a hand is played indefinitely. That is why sticking to this standard of playing before the flop is best because if you do it consistently players will be clueless of what cards you are holding. You can be making a raise before the flop with an 89 suited and play it the exact same way you would play pocket aces. This pattern of pre-flop aggression is something that is unreadable, and will apply the most pressure to your opponents.

You can pick up a lot of dead poker bonus money also and be punishing players who limp in to pots. Players who will open a pot by limping in to it will not be successful in the long run. Most of these types of players just want to see flops, so, a lot of the time they will even call your raise before the flop regardless of what it is just to hit a flop. The thing is with limping and calling hands is that you will feel stuck the entire hand, and unsure if your hand is good or not. It is something that only beginners do, and will not be profitable in the long run. Of course, once in a while a player who limps then calls your raise will make the nuts, but it is unlikely.